The stellar campaign for the Regina Pats came to a surprising end at the Brandt Centre Sunday night.
Forward Alexander True found the back of the net in overtime for the Seattle Thunderbirds as they defeated the host Pats 4-3 and won their first Western Hockey League Championship in six games.
The Pats, who feature Battlefords product Braydon Buziak as one of their forwards, held a 3-1 lead midway through the third period and looked set to force a seventh and deciding contest Monday.
The Thunderbirds had other ideas, however, as they scored two goals in the final minutes to force overtime.
It was a tough finish for the Pats, who were the top team in the regular and were ranked first nationally, as they attempted to hoist the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time since 1980.
They were also looking to be the first Saskatchewan team to win the league championship since the Swift Current Broncos in 1993.
The 19-year-old Buziak, who led the post-game handshake line for the Pats, had a goal and four assists in 23 playoff games in his rookie WHL campaign.
The Thunderbirds have a connection to the area with former Battlefords Stars netminder Rylan Toth on the roster.
The Saskatoon product led the WHL in wins with 36 during the regular season, but the overager had been sidelined with an injury for the last two months.
In his place, 16-year-old Carl Stankowski turned in one of the most surprising runs in league history.
Having only played in seven games during the regular season, the Calgary product compiled a 16-4 record in the playoff with a 2.50 goals against average.
Next up for the Thunderbirds is a trip to the MasterCard Memorial Cup, which begins Friday in Windsor, Ont and concludes Sunday, May 28.
Awaiting them will be the host Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, the OHL champion Erie Otters and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champion Saint John Sea Dogs.
The Pats will be the host of next year's tournament, which will mark the 100th edition of the event.
